Vehicle transporter with screw actuators

ABSTRACT

Vehicular cargo of a vehicle transporter is supported by elongate vehicle support members. Elevated vehicle support members are supported above the vehicular frame of the transporter and moved by screw actuators that are self-locking.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle transporters, such as trucks,trailers, and the like, that have vehicle support members movablerelative to the frame of the transport vehicle and, more particularly,to a vehicle transporter having a vehicle support member movable by ascrew actuator.

Vehicle transporters are normally equipped with elongate vehicle supportmembers to engage and support the wheels of the vehicles comprising thecargo. The vehicle support members may be fixed to the vehicular frameof the vehicle transporter, but are often movable relative to thevehicular frame to permit orienting the cargo vehicles so that thepayload can be maximized and the height of the transporter reduced tosatisfy legal requirements and to clear overpasses and other obstacles.The movable vehicle support members can also be positioned to form asurface over which cargo vehicles can be driven during loading andunloading.

The movable vehicle support members are, typically, moved by means ofelongate hydraulic cylinder assemblies connecting the vehicular frameand the vehicle support members. However, a significant drawback of suchtransporters is the time required to mechanically lock each hydrauliccylinder assembly in position when the transporter is loaded and unlockeach cylinder assembly so that the associated vehicle support memberscan be repositioned during loading and unloading. Mechanical locking isimportant to maintain the position of a vehicle support member in theevent that the hydraulic cylinder assembly does not continue to supportthe load due to a broken fluid supply line, seal failure, leakage,inadvertent control actuation, or some other reason. This task typicallyrequires the manual insertion or removal of a pin at each of thehydraulic cylinder assemblies. Since a vehicle transporter may have 16or more pairs of hydraulic cylinders, half of which are typicallylocated on each side of the vehicle transporter's frame, correctlypositioning the hydraulic cylinders and manually locking or unlockingeach cylinder is very time consuming.

Andre et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,382, disclose the use of screw drivesfor positioning vehicle supporting members on an over-the-road vehicletransporter. Each vehicle supporting structure is supported by at leastone pair of laterally spaced screw drives. The screw drives comprise apowered screw supported in tension from its upper end in a substantiallyvertical hollow post. Each screw is rotated by a hydraulic motor havinga shaft attached to the bottom of the screw and a case attached to thetransporter's frame. A nut, that is captive in the post, is displacedalong the screw when the screw is rotated by a motor attached to thelower end of the screw. The cross-section of the post is a C-shapedchannel and a portion of the nut projects through the gap in the channelsection and is attached to a vehicle supporting member. The posts arefixed and, typically, substantially vertical to avoid side loads thatmight bend the screw or damage the motor bearings. The fixed, verticalposts complicate the connections to the vehicle supporting members whichare often pivoted about one end to facilitate orienting the cargovehicles to maximize the number carried by the transporter. In addition,the gap in the channel-shaped cross-section of the post exposes thescrew and nut to the elements, including moisture and road salt, in theharsh over-the road environment.

To synchronize rotation of motors powering a pair of laterally spacedscrews and, therefore, the translation of the movable nuts supporting avehicle support structure, the motors are hydraulically connected inseries so that the exhaust of the first motor is the supply for thesecond motor. Each motor is connectable to the reservoir and to the pumpsupplying pressurized fluid. Each motor is also connected to its pairedmotor by a fluid line extending across the transporter's frame. Inaddition, the supply and exhaust ports of each motor of the pair must becross connected, through a pair of relief valves, to the ports of othermotor so that leakage does not prevent one of the actuators from movingthrough the full range of motion. While a series fluid connectionroughly synchronizes the operation of a pair of fluid actuators, eachactuator must exhaust exactly the volume that is required to supply theother actuator or some circuitry must be provided to account for thedifference increasing the number of valves, supply lines, andconnections in the fluid supply and control system.

In the alternative, the paired hydraulic actuators can be connected inparallel. However, the movement of hydraulic actuators connected inparallel is not synchronized and the actuator experiencing the lowestpressure will move first and fastest. If the actuators are connected inparallel, a means must be provided to equalize the displacement of theactuators because differences in the internal construction of theactuators, friction or binding in the connections for the vehiclesupporting structure, or side-to-side differences in the weight of thecargo vehicle commonly causes unequal displacement of the laterallyspaced actuators of a pair of actuators supporting a vehicle supportingstructure.

What is desired, therefore, is a self-locking actuator that is wellprotected from the environment and conveniently connectable to thevarious movable and stationary members of the structure of a vehicletransporter.

BRIEF DESCRITION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a simplified elevation view of a truck unit of an exemplaryembodiment of a vehicle transporter.

FIG. 1B is a simplified elevation view of a trailer unit of an exemplaryembodiment of a vehicle transporter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a trailer unit of an exemplaryembodiment of a vehicle transporter.

FIG. 3 is a simplified elevation view of the truck unit of FIG. 1A and aportion of the trailer unit of FIG. 1B with an upper tier of vehiclesupport members positioned to form a ramp from the trailer unit to thetruck unit.

FIG. 4 is a simplified elevation view of a portion of the trailer unitof FIG. 1B with vehicle supporting members positioned to form a rampfrom the ground to the upper tier of vehicle support members of thetrailer unit.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a partially extended first embodiment of anextendible screw actuator.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of the extendible screw actuator of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of an extendible screwactuator.

FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of the extendible screw actuator of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway, elevation view of a extendible vehiclesupport structure and a third embodiment of an extendible screw actuatorviewed from the longitudinal centerline of the truck unit of a vehicletransporter.

FIG. 10 is a simplified schematic of a first embodiment of a hydraulicsystem for a vehicle transporter incorporating decentralized controlsfor a plurality of actuators.

FIG. 11 is a simplified schematic of an electrical system forcontrolling a hydraulic system including decentralized controls for aplurality of actuators.

FIG. 12 is a simplified schematic of a second embodiment of a hydraulicsystem for a vehicle transporter incorporating decentralized controlsfor a plurality of actuators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring in detail to the drawings where similar parts of the inventionare identified by like reference numerals, and, more particularly, toFIGS. 1A and 1B, an exemplary vehicle transporter 50 comprises,generally, a truck unit 52 and a trailer unit 54 connected by a hitch56. The truck unit 52 and the trailer unit 54 are each adapted to carrya plurality of automobiles or other vehicles as cargo. Both the truck 52and the trailer 54 include a plurality of comparable, transverselyspaced, vehicle support members spaced apart to support the wheels ofthe vehicles carried as cargo by the transporter. The truck unit 52 ispreferably capable of transporting four or five vehicles depending upontheir size and the trailer unit 54 is preferably equipped to transport alarger number of vehicles.

The truck unit 52 includes an elongate truck vehicular frame 58 with aplurality of posts 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 projecting upward along eitherside of the vehicular frame and interconnected at their tops by upperrails 72, 74. One or more cargo vehicles 76 can be supported on a lowertier of elongate vehicle support members 78 arranged along either sideof the vehicular frame 58 and spaced to engage the wheels of the cargovehicles. The vehicle support members 78 supporting the lower tier ofvehicles may be fixed to the vehicular frame or movable relative to theframe.

The wheels of an upper tier of cargo vehicles are supported bycomparable vehicle support members extending along the edges of thetruck unit 52 and elevated above the vehicle support members 78supporting the lower tier of cargo. While a vehicle support member forthe upper tier of vehicles may be fixed relative to the truck vehicularframe 52, typically at least one end of a vehicle support member ismovable relative to the vehicular frame. The spaced vehicle supportmembers supporting the upper tier of cargo are commonly connected at, atleast, one end so that a pair of vehicle support members is movable as avehicle support structure. For example, a forward or first upper tiervehicle support structure 80 of the truck unit 52, comprising a vehiclesupport member on each side of the truck unit, is pivotally attached atits forward end to vertical posts 60 extending upward from either sideof the vehicular frame 58. The rearward end of the first upper tiervehicle support structure 80 is pivotally attached to a first end of alink 82 that has a second end pivotally attached to an elongatehydraulic actuator arranged inside of the hollow vertical post 70.

Referring also to FIG. 9, second 84 and third 86 upper tier vehiclesupport structures of the truck unit 52 are attached at their forwardends by pivots 88 that are displaceable vertically relative to thetruck's vehicular frame 58. The pivots 88 restrain movement of thevehicle support structures along the longitudinal axis of the truck unit52 but permit the vehicle support structures 84, 86 to move verticallyand rotate relative to the vehicular frame 58. The pivots 88 engage avehicle support member of the respective vehicle support structure 84,86 and an elongate hydraulic actuator located in the interior of therespective, hollow vertical post 64, 68 enables the pivot to beselectively raised or lowered and the vehicle supporting member torotate about the pivot. The elongate hydraulic actuator may be a screwdrive comprising a screw 804 suspended from a bearing block 854 by jamnuts 856 at the upper end and powered by a hydraulic motor (notillustrated) at the lower end. The pivot 88 includes a portionprojecting through a slot in the post 64, 68 that is connected to a nut802 in threaded engagement with the screw and slidable in the hollowpost. When the screw is rotated, the nut 802 translates along the screw802, raising or lowering the pivot 88. The ends of the second 84 andthird 86 upper tier vehicle support structures nearer the rear of thetruck unit 52 are each pivotally attached to a link 83 which is, inturn, pivotally attached to an elongate hydraulic actuator arranged ineach of the respective vertical posts 62, 66. The pair of hydraulicactuators supporting a front or rear end of one of the second 84 andthird 86 upper vehicle support structures may be extended or retractedto tilt the vehicle support structure. On the other hand, both of thepairs of actuators supporting a vehicle support structure may beextended or retracted to move the vehicle support structure vertically.Tilting the vehicle support structures permits a low profile portion,such as hood or trunk, of one vehicle to overlap a low profile portion asecond vehicle in an adjacent position maximizing the number of vehiclesin the cargo. By lowering and tilting the vehicles of the cargo afterloading, the overall height of the transporter can be reduced to meetover-the-road legal requirements and provide clearance under bridges andother overhead obstructions. Loading and unloading may require raisingthe upper tier of vehicle support members to provide clearance forhigher profile portions, such as the cabin, of the cargo vehicles of thelower tier. Tilting and displacing the vehicle support structures 80,84, 86 permits the vehicle support members to be arranged as acontinuous surface over which cargo vehicles can be driven duringloading and unloading.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1B and FIG. 2, the trailer unit 54includes an elongate trailer vehicular frame 100 comprising, generally,transversely spaced, substantially horizontal frame beams 102 supportedby a plurality of wheels 104 proximate the rear of the frame and thehitch 56 that connects the front of the trailer vehicular frame to thetruck vehicular frame 58. The trailer unit 54 also includes transverselyspaced vehicle support members 78 arranged along each side of trailervehicular frame 100 to support the wheels of one or more vehicles in alower tier of the cargo. While the vehicle support members 78 supportingthe lower tier of vehicles may be fixed to the trailer's vehicularframe, in some cases the vehicle support members are movable relative tothe frame. For example, a first lower tier vehicle support structure108, including sections of vehicle support members 78, is pivotally andslidably attached to linear actuators within front 110 and rear 112posts of a vertical frame 114 projecting upward at either side of thetrailer vehicular frame 100. Extending and retracting actuators locatedinside the hollow front 110 and rear 112 posts permits the first lowertier vehicle support structure 108 to be raised to the level of theportions of the vehicle support members arranged over the wheels 104 ofthe trailer unit 54 to facilitate cargo loading and then lowered, asillustrated in FIG. 1B, to lower the profile of the cargo vehicle 116and reduce the overall height of the trailer unit for travel. Referringto FIG. 4, extendible screw actuators 118, 120 are arranged to translatevehicle support member sections 122 at the rear of the trailer unit 54to form slide out skids permitting cargo vehicles to be driven onto theelevated vehicle support members of the trailer unit.

On the trailer unit 54, an upper tier of cargo vehicles is supported byan elevated, movable first upper tier vehicle support structure 124 andan elevated, movable second upper tier vehicle support structure 126.The adjacent ends of the first 124 and second 126 upper tier vehiclesupport structures, proximate the middle of the trailer 54, areconnected to each other by a support structure pivot 128. A swing arm130 is pivotally connected at one end to each of the vertical frames 114at the side of the trailer vehicular frame 100 and pivotally connectedat the second end to the support structure pivot 128 connecting thefirst 124 and second 126 upper tier vehicle support structures. Anextendible, screw actuator 132 is pivotally connected to each of theswing arms 130 at one end and pivotally connected to the vehicular frame100 at the second end. When the screw actuators 132 are extended, thesupport structure pivot 128 connecting the first 124 and second 126upper tier vehicle support members will be moved upward and forwardrelative to the trailer vehicular frame 100 in an arc defined by theswing arms 130. On the other hand, when the screw actuators 132 areretracted, the support structure pivot 128 will move toward the rear anddownward relative to the trailer vehicular frame 100.

The ends of the first 124 and second 126 upper tier vehicle supportstructures of the trailer unit 54 distal to the support structure pivot128 are also supported above the frame by pairs of laterally spaced,extendible screw actuators 136, 138. If the support structure pivot 128is held stationary, extending or retracting a respective pair ofactuators 136 or 138 at the distal end of a respective support structure124, 126 will cause the support structure to tilt relative to thevehicular frame 100. With coordinated actuation of the three sets ofscrew actuators 132, 136, 138, supporting the first 124 and second 126upper tier vehicle support structures, the vehicle support members canbe positioned to form a ramp, as illustrated in FIG. 4, permitting cargovehicles on the ground to be driven onto the upper tier vehicle supportmembers. Appropriate extension or retraction of the screw actuators 132,136, 138 can also be used to raise, lower, or tilt the first 124 andsecond 126 upper tier vehicle support structures to maximize the cargocapacity and minimize the height of the trailer unit 54.

When the screw actuators 132, 136, 138 are extended to position thefirst 124 and second 126 upper tier vehicle support structures to form aramp for loading and unloading cargo vehicles, the first and secondsupport structures are displaced rearward by motion of the swing arms130. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a pair of vehicle support members 140,slidably attached to the first upper tier vehicle support structure 124of the trailer 54, can be extended by a pair of extendible screwactuators 142 to form a slide out ramp to bridge the gap between thefirst upper tier vehicle support structure of the trailer and the thirdupper tier vehicle support structure 86 of the truck unit 52 forming acontinuous surface for cargo vehicles as they are driven from the groundat the rear of the trailer unit 54 to the first position vehicle supportstructure 80 at the front of the truck unit.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the screw actuator 200 is a first embodimentof an extendible screw actuator, such as the actuators 132, 136, 138supporting the vehicle support members 124 and 126. The screw actuator200 typically includes a hollow tubular shell 202, having a walldefining an interior and an exterior. The tubular shell 202 is affixedto a mounting 204. The mounting 204 typically includes a bore 206through which a pin can be inserted to pivotally connect the mounting toa structural member of the trailer, such as the vehicular frame 100, aswing arm 130 or one of the vehicle support members of one of thevehicle support structures, for example vehicle support structure 124. Ahollow slide tube 208 having a wall 210 defining a tube interior and anexterior is slidably arranged in the interior of the hollow tubularshell 202. The slide tube 208 also typically has a cross bore 212 toreceive a pin to connect the slide tube to another structural member ofthe vehicular frame, swing arm, or vehicle support member, asappropriate. The extendible actuator 200 is extended by sliding theslide tube 208 out of the tubular shell 202 increasing the lengthbetween the bores establishing connection to the appropriate structuralmembers and retracted when the slide tube slides into the tubular shell.

A first end of a screw 214 is supported for thrust and rotation bybearings 216 in the actuator mounting 204. The screw 214 projects alongthe co-extending centerlines of the tubular shell 202 and the slide tube208. The distal end of the screw 214 is rotatably supported by a guide216 that is slidably arranged in the interior of the slide tube 208 andsecured by a collar 217. A nut 218, in threaded engagement with thescrew 214, is retained in captive engagement at the inner end to theslide tube 208. The nut 218 is constrained against rotation andtranslates along the screw 214 when the screw is rotated and, as aresult of the captive engagement with the slide tube, displaces theslide tube accordingly. Although other thread forms could be used, thescrew and the nut typically include an Acme thread which has proportionsmaking the thread desirable for power transmission. The Acme threadpreferably has a lead angle less than five degrees preventing the loadfrom back driving the nut 218 on the screw 214. This self-locking screwthread eliminates the need for a braking mechanism on the screw ormanual locking pins to sustain the position of the vehicle supportingmembers after they have been positioned, reducing the time and effortrequired to load and unload the cargo. Supporting the screw 214 at bothends permits mounting the extendible screw actuator 200 vertically or atany angle to vertical, including horizontal, and substantially increasesthe ratio of the extended length the actuator to the retracted length byreducing bending and column loading on the screw.

To alter the position of a vehicle support member, such as one ofvehicle support structures, the screw 214 is rotated by a motor 220having a case 222 attached to the actuator mounting 204 and a rotatableshaft 224 connected to drive the screw 214. The driving connectionbetween the shaft 224 and the screw 214 may comprise a linked chain 226connecting sprockets 228, 230 attached, respectively, to the motor shaft224 and the screw 214; gears; or another torque transmitting mechanism.The motor 220 is, typically, a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic valve 232 isattached a manifold 233 affixed to the motor's case. The electricalsolenoid controlled valve 232 selectively permits or blocks the flow offluid through at least one motor port to control rotation of the motor220. However, the motor 220 could be an electric motor or other type ofmotor capable of generating the torque necessary to rotate the screw214. Mounting the motor 220 on the screw actuator 200 facilitates thepivoting of the actuator as it is extended and retracted.

A follower nut 234 is threaded on the screw in spaced relation to thenut 218. The follower nut 234 is constrained against rotation andtranslates along the screw 214 when the screw is rotated. In the eventthat the nut 218 should fail, the slide tube 208 will retract into thetubular shell 202 until further movement is blocked by the follower nut.The follower nut 234 will support the vehicle support structure or otherload until the actuator 200 can be repaired. A mark 209 on the slidetube 208 that is visible until the slide tube is fully retracted and atleast one of the nut and the slide tube is in contact the follower nut218 provides a visible indicator of the need to repair or replace theactuator.

A second embodiment of the extendible screw actuator 300 is illustratedin FIGS. 7 and 8. The actuator 300 includes a hollow tubular shell 302that is affixed to a mount 304. The mount 304 includes tapped holes 306to receive screws 308. The round heads of the screws 308 provide apivoting connection for a cooperating yoke 312, attachable to a memberin the transporter' structure. A second member is connectible to theactuator 300 by a pin engaging a cross bore 314 in a slide tube 316 thatis arranged to slide in the interior of the tubular shell 302. The slidetube 316 is extended and retracted in the tubular shell 302 by theinteraction of screw 320 and a nut 318, in threaded engagement with thescrew and in captive engagement with the slide tube. The screw 320 isrotatably supported at one end by bearings 322 arranged in the mount 304and at the other end by a guide 324 that is slidable in the interior ofthe slide tube 316. A locking nut 326 retains the guide 324 to the screw320. The screw 320 is rotated by a hydraulic motor 328 that has a framethat bolted to the base of the mount 304 and a rotatable shaft 330 withan exterior spline that engages a cooperating interior spline in anaperture in the end of the screw 320. A hydraulic valve 332, attached tothe mount 304, is connected to a fluid port in the motor 328 bypassageways internal to the mount. The valve 332 can selectively blockthe flow of fluid to or from at least one port in the motor 328 tocontrol rotation of the motor.

A follower nut 334 is threaded onto the screw 320 in a spacedrelationship to the nut 318. The follower nut 334 is constrained againstrotation by pins 340 inserted in bores 342 and 344 in the nut 318 andthe follower nut 334, respectively. If the threads of the nut 318 shouldfail, the slide tube 316 will retract into tubular shell 302 until it issupported by the follower nut 334. An indicator, such as a mark 336, onthe slide tube 316 that is not visible when the slide tube is fullyretracted and one of the slide tube and the nut 318 is in contact withthe follower nut 334 indicates the need to repair or replace a damagedactuator.

The vehicle support members of the second 84 and third 86 upper tiervehicle support structures of the truck unit 52 include extendiblesections 87 to accommodate the varying wheelbases of the variousvehicles comprising the cargo of the vehicle transporter 50. Referringto FIG. 9, the vehicle support structures 84, 86 comprise generally apair of transversely spaced side rails 800 which support sections of thevehicle support members 78. A side rail 800 is arranged proximate toeach side of the vehicular frame and movably attached to vertical postsextending upward from the vehicular frame 58. The forward end of theside rail 800 is attached to one of the vertical posts 64, 68 by a pivot88. The pivot 88 is supported by carrier slidable inside the hollow post64, 68 and vertically adjustable by movement of the carrier, forexample, a nut 802 in threaded engagement with a powered screw 804 of ascrew drive. The rearward end of the side rail 800 is supported by alinear actuator enclosed within the appropriate rear post 62, 66. Thelinear actuator is attached to the side rail 800 by a link 83 that ispivotally attached to the side rail 800 by a pin 806 and to the linearactuator by a pin 808.

The side rail 800 comprises generally a third embodiment of theextendible screw actuator. The outer surface of the side rail 800comprises a tubular shell 810 having a rectangular, C-shapedcross-section with a longitudinally extending slot in the vertical legnearest the center of the vehicle. A front mount 812, includingprovisions for the pivot 88, and a rear mount 814, having an aperturefor receiving the link pin 806, are attached to the tubular shell 810.

A hollow slide tube 816 is slidably arranged in the interior of thehollow tubular shell 810. At one end, a screw 818 is supported forthrust and rotation about an axis generally co-extensive with thecentral axis of the slide tube 816 by bearings 820 arranged in a bearingmount 822 that is retained in the interior of the tubular shell 810 byscrews 824. The second end of the screw 818 is rotationally supported bya guide 826 that is slidable in the interior of the slide tube 816 andsecured by a locking nut 852. A nut 828, in threaded engagement with thescrew 818 and constrained against rotation, is held captive in theinterior of the slide tube 816 by retainers 830, 832. As determined bythe direction of rotation, when the screw 818 is rotated the nut 828translates along the screw pushing the slide tube 816 out of the tubularshell 810 or drawing the slide tube into the tubular shell. Sections 834of a vehicle support member 78 comprise one leg, attached to the slidetube 816 and a slide tube extension 836 welded into the outboard end ofthe slide tube by hardware, including capscrews 838 that are alignedwith the slot in the C-shaped cross-section of the tubular shell 810,and a second normal leg that projects horizontally from the slide tubetoward the center of the transporter.

The screw 818 is rotated by a hydraulic motor 840 having a case attachedto a motor mount 842 retained in the forward end of the tubular shell810 by screws 844. The motor 840 includes a rotatable shaft 846 that iscoupled to the screw 818 by a coupling 848 having internal splinescooperating with external splines on the motor shaft and the screw.Rotation of the motor shaft 846 is controlled by a hydraulic valve 850attached to a flange on the motor case. The hydraulic valve is typicallyactuated by a built-in electric solenoid and selectively permits orblocks the flow of hydraulic fluid to at least one fluid port of themotor.

The vehicle transporter 50 includes a hydraulic supply and controlsystem to provide and control the flow of pressurized fluid to themultiple pairs of laterally spaced actuators used to position supportthe various vehicle support members. A typical vehicle transporter mayinclude 16 or more pairs of hydraulic actuators arranged along the sidesof the transporter. Decentralizing the hydraulic controls, that is,locating the control valve for an actuator closer to the actuator than acontrol valve controlling another actuator or a control valvecontrolling the direction of motion of the actuator, and connecting thelaterally spaced actuators in parallel permits the hydraulic supply andreturn conduits to be routed down each side of the vehicular frame ofthe transporter substantially reducing the number of conduits that mustbe routed through the frame and the number of potentially leakyconnections. As a result, the cost of producing and operating a vehicletransporter can be substantially reduced while the performance issubstantially enhanced.

Referring to FIG. 10, a single pump hydraulic supply and control system600 controls the flow of pressurized fluid to at least two pairs ofactuators 602, 604 and 606, 608 used to position vehicle support membersof a truck unit and at least two pairs of actuators 652, 654 and 656,658 used to position vehicle support members of a trailer unit of anexemplary vehicle transporter. While, the hydraulic supply and controlsystem schematically illustrated in FIG. 10 has been simplified forclarity of illustration, a typical vehicle transporter may include 16 ormore pairs of hydraulic actuators arranged along the sides of thetransporter and connected in parallel to the conduits 610, 612, 613extending along the edges of the vehicular frame of the truck and 660,661, 662 extending along the edges of the trailer.

A pump 616 draws fluid from a reservoir 618 and supplies the fluid underpressure to a pressure conduit 617 connectable to the truck fluidconduits 610, 612, 613 and, through quick disconnect fittings 619, tothe trailer supply conduits 660, 661, 662. The respective truck 610,612, 613 and trailer 660, 661, 662 conduits are connectible to at least,two pairs of paired actuators, schematically illustrated, for example,as a pair of hydraulic cylinder assemblies 602, 604 and a pair ofhydraulic motors 606, 608 of the truck unit. In a vehicle transporter,the individual actuators, for example cylinders 602 and 604, of a pairof actuators are typically spaced apart transversely at the sides of thevehicular frame and the pairs of actuators are located at differentpositions longitudinally along the vehicular frame of the truck or thetrailer unit of the transporter. The flow of hydraulic fluid to eachactuator of a pair of actuators, for examples, actuators 602 and 604 andactuators 606 and 608, is controlled by a respective two position,solenoid operated, actuator hydraulic control valve 622, 624, 626, 628having a first position selectively blocking the flow of fluid to orfrom a first port 634 of the respective actuator and a second positionselectively permitting fluid to flow between the respective actuator andthe conduit 612, 613. Likewise, the actuators 652, 654, 656, 658 of thetrailer unit are controlled by respective actuator hydraulic controlvalves 672, 674, 676, 678. The hydraulic actuator control valves,exemplified by valve 622, are relatively small and inexpensive and aremounted adjacent to the port 634 of the respective actuator, so thateach control valve is closer to its respective actuator than an actuatorcontrol valve controlling another actuator or a hydraulic valvecontrolling the direction of movement of the actuator. Typically, asillustrated by example in FIG. 9, the actuator hydraulic control valve850 is attached to the actuator at or immediately adjacent to one of thefluid ports eliminating a long fluid conduit and potentially leakingconnections between the valve and the actuator.

The direction of operation of the multiple hydraulic actuators, forexample actuators 602, 604, 606, 608 of the truck unit, is controlled bya three position, four-way, solenoid operated, hydraulic, directioncontroller valve 614. The direction controller 614 includes a firstvalve position that blocks flow from the pump 616 and flow to or fromthe actuators through the conduits 610, 612, 613. A second valveposition of the direction controller 614 directs the flow of pressurizedfluid from the pump 616 to a pair of parallel fluid conduits 610connectable to the first port 634 of the actuators 602, 604, 606, 608through the respective actuator control valves 622, 624, 626, 628 andreturns the exhaust flowing from a second port 636 of the respectiveactuators through the conduits 612, 613 to the reservoir 618. Whenshifted to a third valve position, the direction controller 614 directsthe flow of pressurized fluid from the pump 616 to the second ports 636of the respective actuators 602, 604, 606, 608 through the conduits 613and allows any exhaust permitted to flow from the respective first ports634 of the actuators by the respective actuator hydraulic control valves622, 624, 626, 628 to return to the reservoir 618 through the parallelconduits 610. The direction of operation of the actuators 652, 654 656,658 of the trailer unit is controlled in the same manner by the trailerdirection control valve 664.

A flow equalizer 644, 694 downstream of the respective truck and trailerdirection controllers 614, 664 equalizes the flow of fluid in theparallel conduits 612, 613 and 660, 661, respectively. Adjustable reliefvalves 638, 640, 642, 690, 692 protect the pump 616, actuators, andactuator control valves from high pressures. A solenoid operated dumpvalve 696 selectively connects the output of the pump 616 to thereservoir 618.

To actuate a pair of actuators independently of the other pairs ofactuators, for example to extend the actuator pair 602, 604, theoperator of the vehicle transporter starts a motor driving the pump 616;shifts the direction controller 614 to the second valve position,directing pressurized fluid from the pump to the parallel conduits 610,and shifts the respective actuator control valves 622, 624 to the openposition permitting pressurized fluid to enter the shells of theactuators behind the pistons. As the pistons displace the rods of theactuators 602, 604, fluid is displaced through the respective secondports 636 of the actuators and returns to the reservoir 618 through thefluid conduits 612, 613.

Referring to FIG. 12, in a second embodiment of the hydraulic supply andcontrol system for the actuators of a vehicle transporter, a double pump619 is utilized to provide equal flows to the actuators arranged alongthe two sides of the transporter. Like FIG. 11, the hydraulic supply andcontrol system schematically illustrated in FIG. 12 has been simplifiedfor clarity of illustration. The additional actuators of the typicalvehicle transporter are connectable in parallel to the conduits 910,911, 912, 913, 960, 961, 962, 963 extending along the edges of thevehicular frame of the truck and the trailer units, respectively.

The double pump 916 draws fluid from a reservoir 918 and supplies thefluid under pressure to a pair of pressure conduits 917, 919 connectableto the truck fluid conduits 910, 911, 912, 913 and, through quickdisconnect fittings 921, to the trailer supply conduits 960, 961, 962,963. The respective truck 910, 911, 912, 913 and trailer 960, 961, 962,963 conduits are connectible to at least, two pairs of paired actuators,schematically illustrated, for example, as a two pairs of hydraulicmotors 902, 904, 606, 608 of the truck unit. In a vehicle transporter,the individual actuators, for example cylinders 602 and 604, of a pairof actuators are typically spaced apart transversely at the sides of thevehicular frame and the pairs of actuators are located at differentpositions longitudinally along the vehicular frame of the truck or thetrailer unit of the transporter. The flow of hydraulic fluid from theconduits to each actuator of a pair of actuators, for examples,actuators 902 and 904, is controlled by a respective two position,solenoid operated, actuator hydraulic control valve 922, 924 having afirst position selectively blocking the flow of fluid to or from a firstport 934 of the respective actuator and a second position selectivelypermitting fluid to flow between the respective actuator and the conduit911, 913. Likewise, the actuators 952, 954, 956, 958 of the trailer unitare controlled by respective actuator hydraulic control valves 972, 974,976, 978.

The direction of operation of the multiple hydraulic actuators on oneside of the truck or trailer, for example actuators 902 and 906 of thetruck unit, is controlled by a respective three position, four-way,solenoid operated, hydraulic, direction controller valve 915. Thedirection controller 915 includes a first valve position that blocksflow from the pump 916 through the pressure conduit 919 and connects theconduits on one side of the truck 911 and 912 to the reservoir 918. Asecond valve position of the direction controller 915 directs the flowof pressurized fluid from the pump 916 to the fluid conduit 912connectable to first port 634 of the actuators 902, 906 on one side ofthe truck through the respective actuator control valves 922, 926 andreturns the exhaust flowing from a second port 936 of the respectiveactuators through the conduit 911 to the reservoir 918. When shifted tothe third valve position, the direction controller 915 directs the flowof pressurized fluid from the pump 916 to the second ports 936 of therespective actuators 902, 906 through the conduit 911 and allows anyexhaust permitted to flow from the respective first ports 934 of theactuators by the respective actuator hydraulic control valves 922, 926to return to the reservoir 918 through the conduits 911. An identicaldirection control valve 914 controls the direction of operation of theactuators 904, 908 on the second side of the truck unit by selectivelyconnecting pressure from the pump 916 to the conduits 910, 913.Likewise, the direction of operation of the actuators 952, 956 and theactuators 954, 958 arrayed along the sides of the trailer is controlledby the direction control valves 965, 964 which selectively connectpressure and drain to the conduits 961, 962 and the conduits 960, 963.

The adjustable relief valves 940, 942 protect the system from highpressures and the solenoid operated dump valves 995, 996 can selectivelyconnect the output of the pump 616 to the reservoir 618.

Referring to FIG. 11, the operation of the hydraulic supply and controlsystem of the vehicle transporter is controlled electrically. Actuatorcontrol switches 702, 704 control respective pairs of actuator hydrauliccontrol valves, for example actuator hydraulic control valves 622, 624and 626, 628 of the truck unit and the direction controller 614 of thesingle pump embodiment of the hydraulic control system 600. When theoperator is ready to reposition a vehicle support structure of thevehicle transporter, the pump start switch 706 is closed to start thepump motor 708. To extend the pair of actuators 602, 604, the operatormoves the actuator control switch 702 to the raise position, energizingthe raise solenoid 710 of the direction controller 614 and the solenoids714, 716 of the respective pair of actuator hydraulic control valves622, 626 for the transversely spaced pair of elongate hydraulicactuators. The energized raise solenoid 710 of the direction controller614 shifts the valve to the second valve position directing pressurizedthrough the parallel conduit 610. The energized solenoids 714, 716 ofthe actuator valves 622, 624 shifts the valves to their open positions,permitting fluid to flow into the actuators 602, 604 extending the rodsof the actuators.

To retract the actuators 602, 604, the operator moves the actuatorcontrol switch 702 to the lower position energizing the lower solenoid712 of the direction controller 614 and the actuator control valvesolenoids 714, 716 of the actuator control valves 622, 624. Thedirection controller 614 shifts to the third position and pressurizedfluid is directed to the second port 636 of the actuators 602, 604. Theenergized actuator control valve solenoids 714, 716 shift the actuatorcontrol valves 622, 624 to the open position permitting fluid to flowout of the first port 634 and back to the reservoir 618 through theparallel conduits 610. Operating the actuator control switch 704 willproduce comparable operation of the direction controller 614 and byenergizing the solenoids 718, 720 of the actuator hydraulic controlvalves 626, 628 produce comparable movement of the respective actuators606, 608.

In the double pump hydraulic supply and control system 900, actuation ofactuator switches 702, 704 energizes the solenoids of the two paralleldirection control valves 915 and 914 of the truck unit and theappropriate actuator control valves solenoids 714, 716, 718, 720controlling the actuator control valves 922, 924, 926, 928. Operation ofthe actuators of the trailer units is controlled in the same manner.

Since the actuators, for example 602, 604, of each transversely spacedpair are connected in parallel, the actuator experiencing the lowestpressure will extend first and fastest. By way of examples, differencesin the seals of the individual actuators, differences in the friction atthe spaced-apart pivots of a vehicle supporting structure, binding dueto uneven extension of actuators connected to a vehicle supportingstructure, or side-to-side variation in the weight of a supportedvehicle can cause a pressure differential in the paired actuators. Thehydraulic supply and control system 600, 900 includes a displacementequalizer operably interposed between the direction controller 614 andthe actuator control valves 622, 624, 626, 628 to permit the operator toequalize flow between the actuators of a pair of actuators, for example,actuators 602 and 604. If the operator selects the raise operation atthe actuator control switch 702 the direction controller 710, andactuator control valve solenoids 714, 716 are energized as describedabove causing the actuators 602, 604 to extend. If the operator detectsthat a first actuator, for example actuator 602, controlled by theactuator control valve 622 that is operated by the actuator controlvalve solenoid 714, is moving faster than its paired second actuator604, the operator can move a flow equalizer switch 726, schematically tothe downward, to open the normally closed relay 728, de-energizing thesolenoid 714 causing the spring loaded actuator control valve 622, toshift and block flow to the actuator 602. Since the solenoid 716 of theactuator control valve 624 remains energized, the actuator 604 willcontinue to extend. When the operator returns the flow equalizer switch726 to the center position, the relay 728 will close, re-energizing thesolenoid 714 causing fluid to flow again to both actuators 602, 604. Onthe other hand, if the solenoids 718, 720 have been actuated by theoperator, moving the flow equalizer switch 726 schematically downwardwill cause the relay 728 to open deactivating solenoid 718. Moving theflow equalizer switch 726 schematically to upward, opens the normallyclosed relay 730 to deenergize either the solenoid 716 or the solenoid720 blocking flow to the actuator. The flow equalizer switch 726 willinterrupt the operation of any actuator on a respective side of thevehicular frame selected by the operator.

In the double pump hydraulic supply and control system 900 displacementequalization can be accomplished in the same manner. In addition, sinceflow from the pump to each side of the truck or trailer unit flowsthrough a unique passage, displacement could be equalized by selectivelyde-energizing the solenoids of the appropriate one of the directioncontrol valves 914, 915 or 964, 965 or energizing the appropriate dumpvalve 995 or 996 to interrupt flow to one side of the transporter.

The decentralized hydraulic controls provide flexible control of themultiple hydraulic actuators of the typical vehicle transporter whilesubstantially reducing the cost of the transporter and the number ofpotential leak points in the hydraulic system. The self-locking screwactuators speed the loading and unloading of the vehicular transporterby eliminating the manual insertion or removal of locking pins at eachof the actuators supporting the vehicle support members. The screwactuator can be conveniently connected to the structure of the vehicletransporter and used in any orientation facilitating its use to positionvehicle supporting members that translate and tilt. Enclosing the screwand nut of the provides good protection from dirt and moisture in theover-the-road environment.

The detailed description, above, sets forth numerous specific details toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances, wellknown methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not beendescribed in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention.

All the references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used as terms of description and not of limitation,and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, ofexcluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portionsthereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is definedand limited only by the claims that follow.

1. A vehicle transporter comprising: (a) a vehicular frame; (b) avehicle support member movable relative to said vehicular frame; and (c)a screw actuator comprising: (i) an elongate tubular shell connectibleto one of said vehicular frame and said vehicle support member, saidtubular shell comprising a wall defining an exterior and an interior;(ii) an elongate slide tube having a first end connectible to the otherof said vehicular frame and said vehicle support member, a second end,and a slide tube wall connecting said first end and said second end anddefining a slide tube interior and a slide tube exterior, said slidetube exterior being slidably arranged in said interior of said tubularshell; (iii) a guide in sliding engagement with said slide tubeinterior; (iv) a screw having a threaded portion, a first end arrangedfor rotation in said interior of said tubular shell, and a second endrotatably supported by said guide; and (v) a nut constrained totranslate with said slide tube and in threaded engagement with saidthreaded portion of said screw so that rotation of said screw will causesaid slide tube to translate longitudinally in said tubular shellaltering said length of said screw actuator and moving said vehiclesupport member relative to said vehicular frame.
 2. The vehicletransporter of claim 1 wherein said screw actuator further comprises afollower nut in threaded engagement with said screw and in slidingengagement with said interior of said tubular shell.
 3. The vehicletransporter of claim 1 wherein said screw actuator further comprises amotor including a frame connected to said tubular shell and a shaftrotatable in said frame and drivingly connected to rotate said screw. 4.The vehicle transporter of claim 1 wherein said threaded portion of saidscrew is arranged so that said threaded engagement of said nut and saidscrew is self-locking to prevent forces tending to translate said slidetube from causing rotation of said screw.
 5. The vehicle transporter ofclaim 1 wherein said threaded portion of said screw comprises an Acmethread having a lead angle not exceeding five degrees.
 6. The vehicletransporter of claim 1 wherein at least one of said tubular shell andsaid slide tube is connectible to one of said vehicular frame and saidvehicle support member by a pivotal connection.
 7. The vehicletransporter of claim 6 wherein said screw actuator further comprises afollower nut in threaded engagement with said screw and in slidingengagement with said interior of said tubular shell.
 8. The vehicletransporter of claim 6 wherein said screw actuator further comprises amotor including a frame attached to said tubular shell and a shaftrotatable in said frame and drivingly connected to rotate said screw. 9.The vehicle transporter of claim 8 wherein said tubular shell isconnectible to one of said vehicular frame and said vehicle supportmember with a pivoting connection enabling said motor and said tubularshell to pivot in unison.
 10. The vehicle transporter of claim 6 whereinsaid threaded portion of said screw is arranged so that said threadedengagement of said nut and said screw is self-locking to prevent forcestending to translate said slide tube from causing rotation of saidscrew.
 11. A vehicle transporter comprising: (a) a vehicular frame; (b)a vehicle support member having a pivotally supported first end and asecond end; and (c) a screw actuator comprising: (i) an elongate tubularshell pivotally connectible to one of said vehicular frame and saidvehicle support member, said tubular shell comprising a wall defining anexterior and an interior; (ii) an elongate slide tube having a firstend, said first end having a pivotal connection to the other of saidvehicular frame and said vehicle support member; a second end; and aslide tube wall connecting said first end and said second end anddefining a slide tube interior and a slide tube exterior, said slidetube exterior being slidably arranged in said interior of said tubularshell; (iii) a guide in sliding engagement with said slide tubeinterior; (iv) a screw having a threaded portion, a first end arrangedfor rotation in said interior of said tubular shell, and a second endrotatably supported by said guide; and (v) a nut constrained totranslate with said slide tube and in threaded engagement with saidthreaded portion of said screw so that rotation of said screw will causesaid slide tube to translate longitudinally in said tubular shellaltering said length of said screw actuator and moving at least saidsecond end of said vehicle support member.
 12. The vehicle transporterof claim 11 wherein said screw actuator further comprises a follower nutin threaded engagement with said screw and in slidable relative to saidinterior of said tubular shell.
 13. The vehicle transporter of claim 11wherein said screw actuator further comprises a motor including a frameattached to said tubular shell and a shaft rotatable in said frame anddrivingly connected to rotate said screw.
 14. The vehicle transporter ofclaim 11 wherein said threaded portion of said screw is arranged so thatsaid threaded engagement of said nut and said screw is self-locking toprevent forces tending to translate said slide tube from causingrotation of said screw.
 15. A vehicle transporter comprising: (a) avehicular frame; (b) a first vehicle support member supported by saidvehicular frame and selectively movable relative to said vehicularframe; and (c) a plurality of screw actuators, each comprising: (i) anelongate tubular shell comprising a wall defining an shell exterior anda shell interior, said tubular shell having a pivoting connection to atleast one of said vehicular frame and said vehicle support member; (ii)a slide tube having a first end, said first end having a pivotalconnection to the other of said vehicular frame and said vehicle supportmember; a second end; and a slide tube wall connecting said first endand said second end and defining a slide tube interior and a slide tubeexterior, said slide tube exterior being arranged to slide within saidshell interior; (iii) a guide in sliding engagement with said slide tubeinterior; (iv) a screw including a threaded portion, a first endrotatably supported for rotation of said screw in said shell interior,and a second end rotatably supported by said guide; (v) a nut restrainedto said slide tube and in threaded engagement with said threaded portionof said screw so that rotation of said screw will cause said slide tubeto translate in said tubular shell altering a dimension between saidconnection of said first end of said slide tube and said connection ofsaid tubular shell causing said first vehicle support member to moverelative to said vehicular frame; (vi) a follower nut in threadedengagement with said screw and slidably bearing on said shell interior;and (vi) a hydraulic motor having a frame attached to said tubular shelland a shaft selectively rotatable in said frame and drivingly connectedto said screw.
 16. The vehicle transporter of claim 15 furthercomprising: (a) a second vehicle support member pivotally attached at afirst end to said first vehicle support member; and (b) an additionalscrew actuator comprising an additional screw, a first pivotingconnection to said vehicular frame, a second pivoting connection to saidsecond vehicle support member, and elongate members that slidelongitudinally relative to each other in response to rotation of saidadditional screw to selectively vary a length between said first andsaid second connections causing said second vehicle support member topivot about said first end, rotation of said additional screw forcingsaid elongate members to slide longitudinally relative to each other.17. The vehicle transporter of claim 15 further comprising: (a) a secondvehicle support member slidably attached to said first vehicle supportmember; and (b) an additional screw actuator comprising an additionalscrew, a first connection to said first vehicle support member, a secondconnection to said second vehicle support member, and elongate membersthat slide longitudinally relative to each other in response to rotationof said additional screw to selectively vary a length between said firstand said second connections causing said second vehicle support memberto translate relative to said first vehicle support member, rotation ofsaid additional screw forcing said elongate members to slidelongitudinally relative to each other.
 18. A screw actuator comprising:(a) a tubular shell connectible to a first member; said tubular shellcomprising a wall defining an exterior and an interior; (b) a slide tubehaving a first end, a second end, and a slide tube wall connecting saidfirst end and said second end and defining a slide tube interior and aslide tube exterior, said slide tube exterior being slidably arranged insaid interior of said tubular shell, said slide tube connectible to asecond member; (c) a guide in sliding engagement with said slide tubeinterior; (d) a screw having a threaded portion and a first endrotationally supported by said guide, said screw arranged for rotationin said interior of said tubular shell; and (e) a nut in threadedengagement with said threaded portion of said screw and constrained totranslate with said slide tube so that rotation of said screw will causesaid slide tube to translate in said tubular shell altering a length ofsaid screw actuator.
 19. The screw actuator of claim 18 furthercomprising a follower nut in threaded engagement with said screw andspaced apart from said nut.
 20. The screw actuator of claim 19 furthercomprising an indicator of contact between said follower nut and atleast one of said nut and said slide tube.
 21. The screw actuator ofclaim 18 further comprising a motor including a frame connected to saidtubular shell and a shaft rotatable in said frame and drivinglyconnected to rotate said screw.
 22. The screw actuator of claim 18wherein said threaded portion of said screw is arranged so that a forcetending to displace said slide tube will not cause rotation of saidscrew.
 23. The screw actuator of claim 18 wherein said threaded portionof said screw comprises an Acme thread having a lead angle not exceedingfive degrees.
 24. The screw actuator of claim 18 wherein at least one ofsaid tubular shell and said slide tube is pivotally connectible,respectively, to one of said first member and said second member. 25.The screw actuator of claim 24 further comprising a follower nut inthreaded engagement with said screw and spaced apart from said nut. 26.The screw actuator of claim 18 further comprising: (a) a hydraulic motorcomprising a frame attached to said tubular shell, said frame includinga fluid port, and a shaft rotatable in said frame and drivinglyconnected to rotate said screw, said shaft rotatable by pressurizedfluid at said fluid port; and (b) a hydraulic valve attached to one ofsaid tubular shell and said frame of said hydraulic motor and connectedto selectively block a flow of fluid to said fluid port.
 27. A vehicletransporter comprising: (a) a vehicular frame; (b) a vehicle supportmember movable relative to said vehicular frame; (c) a screw actuatorpivotally connected to said vehicular frame and said vehicle supportmember and having first and second elongate members that slidelongitudinally relative to each other in response to rotation of a screwso as to alter a length of said actuator causing said vehicle supportmember to move relative to said vehicular frame; and (d) a motor havinga motor frame connected to said first elongate member of said screwactuator and movable in unison with said first elongate member and amotor shaft rotatable in said motor frame and drivingly connected torotate said screw.
 28. A screw actuator comprising: (a) a tubular shellmovably connectible to a first member; said tubular shell comprising awall defining an exterior and an interior; (b) a slide tube having afirst end, a second end, and a slide tube wall connecting said first endand said second end and defining a slide tube interior and a slide tubeexterior, said slide tube exterior being slidably arranged in saidinterior of said tubular shell, said slide tube connectible to a secondmember; (c) a screw arranged for rotation in said interior of saidtubular shell; (d) a nut in threaded engagement with said screw andconstrained to translate with said slide tube so that rotation of saidscrew will cause said slide tube to translate slidably in said tubularshell altering a length of said actuator; and (e) a motor having a motorframe attached to said tubular shell and movable in unison with saidtubular shell, and a motor shaft rotatable in said motor frame anddrivingly connected to rotate said screw.
 29. A vehicle transportercomprising: (a) a vehicular frame; (b) a vehicle support member movablerelative to said vehicular frame; (c) a screw actuator having elongatemembers that slide longitudinally relative to each other in response toturning of a screw so as to alter a length of said actuator, and havinga connection to said vehicular frame and a connection to said vehiclesupport member so that altering said length of said screw actuator willcause said vehicle support member to move relative to said vehicularframe, rotation of said screw forcing said elongate members to slidelongitudinally relative to each other; and (d) a motor including a motorframe and a motor shaft rotatable in said motor frame and drivinglyconnected to rotate said screw, said screw and said motor shaftrotatable on a common axis.